Acupuncture is an essential
part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is based on ideas and theories
formulated over five to three thousand of years. Acupuncture is the insertion
of very fine needles into specific sites on the body chosen according to the
guiding principles of Traditional Oriental Medicine. Needles may also be used
with an application of Moxibustion depending on patient conditions. Sometimes,
an electrical pulse is combined with the needles for better therapeutic effect. The less needles (single needle) used, the better (more accurate) acupuncture.

How Long has been acupuncture practiced?

As
a system of medicine, acupuncture is over five to three thousand year old. The
oldest continuously used medical textbook is the "Huang Di Nei Jing"
("Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic"). Still relevant today, this
textbook remains a valuable reference in the theory, and acupuncture techniques
that most practitioners still use today. The practice of acupuncture has
evolved and changed in the last 2500 years, especially after 1970 when many new
techniques including Auricular Acupuncture, Korea Hand Acupuncture, and
Micro-current Acupuncture have been developed. These new techniques greatly
speed up the healing process. Patients could feel immediate release after a single
treatment.

Is Acupuncture painful?

Acupuncture needles are very thin. Most people
do not find the insertion of such hair fine needles to be painful. They are
unlike injection needles, which are thicker, hollow and have cutting edges.
This is why acupuncture feels like nothing compared to getting a shot or having
blood drawn. However, some points on our more sensitive feet and hands do feel a little pain
during the insertion process.

Is Acupuncture Treatment safe?

Yes!
Since only sterile disposable needles are used and Licensed Acupuncturists
follow the basic clean needle technique guided by NCCAOM, it is very safe. If a
comprehensively trained acupuncturist performs the treatment, your safety is
assured. "Although tens of millions of acupuncture needles are used annually in the
United States, only about 50 cases of complications resulting from acupuncture treatment
have been reported in the medical literature over the past 20 years." -
Birch, et. al., "Clinical Research on Acupuncture", Journal of
Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2004

What conditions can Acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture is used for a broad
range of health issues including acute, chronic, and degenerative diseases.
Acupuncture can benefit the immune system by strengthening it if it is weak, or
by sedating it if it is overactive, which is usually caused by an allergic reaction.
The following list is just a sample of health issues I have treated with
acupuncture:

Back pain including lower, middle, and upper back pain

Neck and shoulder/frozen shoulder pain

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)

Contracture of Joint/Spasm of Muscle

Sciatica (commonly called hip pain)

Fibromyalgia/Myofascial

Pain/Neuralgia/Neuritis/Radiculitis

Headache/Migraine

Neuropathies

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Automobile and Sports Injuries

Arthritis/Osteoarthritis

Tendonitis/Tennis Elbow

Stress, Depression and Insomnia

Menopause Syndrome/PMS

Gynecological Disorders

Infertility in Males and/or Females

Bell's Palsy/Facial Paralysis following a stroke

Allergies, Respiratory Diseases

Skin Diseases including Psoriasis

Smoking Cessation

Digestive System Problems/Constipation/IBS/ Nausea/Vomiting

Cancer Syndrome Releasing Treatment

Immunity Enhancement

Note: The
above includes the more common illnesses treated. It is far from a complete list.
If your illness does not appear on this list, it does not mean it cannot be
treated by acupuncture. Please call me to discuss it.

Do
I have to use a needle every time?

No,
not necessarily. There are needle free techniques for most illnesses in my clinic. However, it may take a
longer time to recover than when using needles.

What is an Acupuncture treatment like?

You may feel a slight
sensation resembling a pinch or a mosquito bite when the needle is inserted.
Once the needles are placed, there may be a slight tingling, numbness or
heaviness in the area while the practitioner is stimulating the point. This is
called “De Qi” (received Qi). Contrary to the traditional ideas, modern
acupuncture considers a pain feeling as a “De Qi” sensation. These are positive
signs that the needles are affecting the acupuncture point. It is said that the
more “De Qi” sensation, the more effect. Usually you will be lying on a
comfortable padded table or in an easy chair. Often, people become very relaxed
and fall into a light sleep during the session. The less needles used, the better (more accurate) acupuncture.

Avoid stressful situations. Make time to relax and be sure
to get plenty of rest.

Between visits, take note of any changes that you may have
experienced.

Call me if you have any concerns or need an answer
immediately.

How
many treatments are needed and how often?

Although some people will respond well to only one treatment, more visits are
often needed. For some common illness, the cure rate after one treatment using
my technique is about 10%. Most of my back pain patients have no pain within
three treatments regardless how long it has been a problem. The frequency of
treatments and number of treatments needed is related to the patient's body conditions.
Generally speaking, the longer the patient has had the condition, the longer
the course of treatment will be before showing substantial and lasting results,
but not necessarily. Acupuncture can be scheduled as often as five times a week
or as little as once a month. Typically, in China, patients are treated five
times a week. Although most of my patients respond favorably after only one or
two treatments, others may not respond until the ninth visit (not seen in
my office yet). As symptoms improve
fewer visits are needed. A patient should discuss his or her treatment progress
with the Acupuncturist as each individual case is unique.

Where can I find more
information about Acupuncture?

There are many web pages where
traditional information can be obtained. Please check the links on this website.

The following books are commonly recommended: "The
Web That Has No Weaver", by Ted Kaptchuk, OMD, and "Between Heaven
and Earth, by Harriett Beinfeld, and Effram Korngold.

What
makes Dr. Zhang's Acupuncture so effective?

1)
The principle behind Dr. Zhang’s techniques is based on the energy flow (Qi)
that travels in the meridians. Dr.
Zhang has been practicing Taiji and Qigong for more than 30 years, which give
him very strong internal Qi energy. When Dr. Zhang needle patients, that Qi
energy could transfer to patients through needles. That is why many patients
feel that the needling Qi sensation from Dr. Zhang’s hand is very strong. When
the needle comes with that kind of Qi energy stimulates the blocked meridians
using special distal points, patients feel immediate release.

2) Dr. Zhang has learned, more than 30 special points from his family practice. These points are so powerful that it takes care of the most common illness such as; back pain, shoulder pain, headache, hip pain, stomachache … etc. Dr. Zhang already discovered his own single point for knee pain from his own practice. By using these points, single needle can let patients feel significant difference within seconds.

Many of the patients that Dr. Zhang has treated using his unique "single needle technique", describes his treatment as magical due to the powerful and effective relief from their pain. Actually, the needles are not magic, it is Dr. Zhang’s unique, powerful, and effective techniques that make all this happen. As I mention above, the less needles used, the more (better) accurate acupuncture.

3)
Dr. Zhang has been doing translational research in the field of Western
medicine for more than 25 years. He accomplished numerous publications with two
prestigious publications in << Nature Medicine >> in the last 15 years.
Another Nature Medicine article is currently been submitting in the field of gene therapy.
Therefore, he accumulated many years’ experience to solve difficult problems
and make the projects progress. Dr. Zhang understands both Western medicine and Chinese
medicine at an advanced level. As a highly respected professional, Dr. Zhang
has been credited by his former boss Dr. Reed Clark, as the "Chinese Einstein
“ of today.

In
the acupuncture school where he studied for his license, his teacher credited
him a new name of “ Present-day of "Hua Tuo” because he could let patients feel
the Qi moving in the direction as directed and achieve rapid therapeutic effect.
Master Hua Tuo was a famous acupuncture
doctor in Chinese history about 1800
years ago. Master Hua Tuo could cure diseases with few needles and in a very
short time. He could move Qi in the direction as he directed for healing. Master Hua Tuo made the words: the less needles, the better (more accurate) acupuncture. Dr.
Zhang is following his steps. Some times, Dr. Zhang could cure diseases even
without using needles. That is the modern acupuncture.

Through the use
of these ancient therapies and newly developed modern acupuncture techniques,
you can be assured that Dr. Zhang will help you find relief efficiently within a
short period of time.

Where is your Office located?My home office is located at 2121 Steffi Dr., Hilliard, Oh 43026. Iservicepeople all over the Ohio (OH). Some of my old patients even drive 8 hours to see me from Michigan. For more locations, please see my contacts page.